Architecture & Founders’ Hall
Article written by Ariel Oloyede 08/05/2025 - Work experience
The Founders company has existed since 1365, serving its purpose as a historical guild which specialised in craft using brass and alloy. The first hall was built in 1531 and then rebuilt in 1845 due to the great fire of London in 1666 however some of the architecture from 1531 and 1845 was incorporated in the new building and its interior in 1986. For example there are historical pieces like canons, which are on loan from the Royal Armoury and are swivel guns from 1740s, but there are also contemporary art pieces and sculptures, which were created by students who are now well known sculptors today (George Triggs , Thomas Merrett, Sophie Dickens, Valentina Zlatarova ).These sculptures can be seen in the hall but can also been seen in museums or social media.
Instagram · george_triggs_sculpture
Instagram · sophiedickenssculptor
Instagram · valentinazlatarova
The hall is used for many events and the interior, which was designed by an architect called Sam Lloyd (Jeremy Sampson Lloyd), contains hints of Georgian, classical and heritage architecture (buildings that hold historical or cultural significance and is considered vital to a nations heritage) which is the kind of old architecture that people like the most. Sam Lloyd was also responsible for the design of the Skinners’ company hall and designed the halls of 12 other Livery companies (Sam Lloyd obituary | Architecture | The Guardian). However the Founders Hall is a type of post war reconstruction architecture as the building was damaged by the Blitz on the nights of May 10th and 11th 1941. It was hit by incendiary bombs, which caused fires and significant damage to the hall and other Livery companies (Founders’ Hall, Cloth Fair, London – The Twentieth Century Society). Post war reconstruction is a type of architecture which involves a blend of approaches like adapting existing structures to embracing modernism and even postmodernism. This is probably why most buildings that were created a long time ago and were destroyed and rebuilt now look different to how it did back then. The current building is still made from traditional materials.
St Bartholomew's Church
Neighbouring the Founders Hall is the church of St Bartholomew the Great who was one of Jesus’ 12 apostles before he was skinned and beheaded for converting the king to Christianity. The church was founded in 1123 so it has been around for over 900 years and is London's oldest surviving church. The church is still used as a place of worship as a parish church, which is a church that is the central church for a specific geographic area or parish, serving as a focal point for religious life and community activities for the local congregation (parish : a territorial area with its own local authority or church administration). The church embraces the style of Norman architecture (a blend of Roman and Gothic architecture) which is really unique as it shows that that kind of architecture is still used today especially in churches. This church was built all because the founder, a man called Prior Rahere, had a vision that St Bartholomew was on a pilgrimage and St Bartholomew instructed Rahere to build a church and hospital in is name leading to the church and hospitals creation.
Priory garden
Outside the church is a garden which is the priory garden of St Bartholomew which includes formal and non-formal architecture like most Priory gardens. The interior features a blend of modern and traditional design elements, primarily focused on creating open living spaces and maximizing natural light. This Priory Garden was most likely designed by Prior Rahere and before it was a priory garden and a hospital, it was originally farmland. This place attracts the attention of people passing due to it being hidden and all the nature inside of it. This all shows how the founders hall has a lot of history within and surrounding it which makes it an amazing place. This garden can also be seen from the inside of the hall through the porthole windows which looks out into the garden. This is also where students sculptures are placed to highlight their great work and the beauty of the garden all at the same time.
Currently the Founders Hall can be hired to hold events and it is also used for internal events for the Founders’ Company but they are also a charity which helps out students and supports schools. The roots of this company is embedded in supporting education and research for those who need it most. They are committed to helping as many people as they can and are diverse, inclusive and focus on social/economic barriers that could stop any students from getting the stuff they need. This includes giving grants, scholarships, supporting the development and training of students and providing training to students as well. They mostly support education that is based on material sciences and related fields in engineering for people who need it the most.
Christmas at the Founders Hall
They also offer lunch as a bistro to experience the hall, which makes the hall more special as it gives a chance to the public to also experience it and all it has to offer. They also do lectures, their most recent one being someone from oxford university coming to give a lecture which went really well for the people who attended. The worshipful company of founders and the other livery companies seems to put their clients interest first and really want to support the people they work with which is why they are one of the most reliable charities for schools.
